{"id":22012,"date":"2014-09-04T23:01:41","date_gmt":"2014-09-04T15:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=22012"},"modified":"2018-04-09T17:12:46","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T09:12:46","slug":"understand-cyanogenmod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/understand-cyanogenmod\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About CyanogenMod"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have heard about CyanogenMod but aren\u2019t really sure what it is, then this is the post you should be checking out. To start off, CyanogenMod may feel different from an Android but is essentially built on Android. Sometimes known as CM, it has a cleaner interface, reeks of innovation, and is a free and open source aftermarket firmware for smartphones based on the Android platform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The word \u2018CyanogenMod\u2019 is formed from two words \u2013 \u2018Cyanogen\u2019, after its creator Steve Kondik<\/strong> who is also known as Cyanogen<\/em>; and \u2018Mod\u2019, which means to modify<\/strong>. Hence the word \u2018CyanogenMod\u2019 means the modified firmware (of Android) developed by the Cyanogen (Steve Kondik).<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading:<\/strong> Everything You Need To Know About OnePlus One<\/a><\/p>\n

What Is CyanogenMod?<\/h2>\n

CyanogenMod is built upon the source code of the open source release of Google\u2019s Android, which is also known as Android Open Source Project<\/strong> or AOSP for short. Its development started back in 2009 in a quest to make a modified Android which can be installed on rooted devices<\/strong>, and provide users with better or extra features, which are not found in the original or stock versions of Android.<\/p>\n

It soon grew in popularity and a small group of developers, called the \u2018CyanogenMod Team\u2019, started pushing code contributions.<\/p>\n

Steve Kondik started \u2018Cyanogen Inc.\u2019 in 2013 with a goal to commercialize his operating system. The objective behind his company is \u201cto grow the open source project and to work with partners to share the freedom of user choice with the world\u201d, as stated by its website \u2013 cyngn.com<\/a><\/p>\n

CyanogenMod is the most popular custom ROM for Android devices,<\/strong> available for 350+ devices combining both of its official and unofficial ports. It is one of the oldest firmwares for Android, still in active development.<\/p>\n

So What makes CyanogenMod so special?<\/h2>\n

Let me count the ways.<\/p>\n

1. It is the base for many other custom ROMs such as CarbonRom, PAC ROM<\/strong>, etc.<\/p>\n

2. It comes with numerous built-in features<\/strong> which are not found in Google\u2019s version of Android or in stock versions created by various mobile phone manufacturers and carriers.<\/p>\n

3. Also absent are the unnecessary bloatware you are stuck with in stock versions.<\/p>\n

4. CyanogenMod\u2019s ultimate feature is its lightweight code which accounts for the stable and fast operating system<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

5. It comes with built-in root access<\/strong> for getting super-user privileges in the system. This also means that you can remove any system app if you find it of zero use.<\/p>\n

6. It also comes with various customization and privacy features which helps you to better manage and use your mobile device (more on that below).<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Talk About Customization<\/h2>\n

CyanogenMod is one of the more customizable Android firmware\u2019s available on the market. Its theme engine lets you modify the look and feel<\/strong> of the entire operating system, and it works completely as you want as you can change either individual items or none or all of them.<\/p>\n

Some of CyanogenMod\u2019s best customization features<\/strong> are Navbar and Button configurations, Themes, Profiles, Status Bar and Quick Settings configuration.<\/p>\n

Profiles lets you control and change sound, connectivity and additional options as per the time and environment. There are many, easy-to-use and easy-to-modify configuration options<\/strong> for many other visual elements like navigation bar, hardware buttons, status bar, quick settings tiles, etc.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Keeping Things Private<\/h2>\n

CyanogenMod, being \u201copen\u201d and supported by a certain community, is concerned about your privacy<\/a> and takes the extra step of providing you with the right tools to better manage and control it. CyanogenMod also comes with great privacy features<\/strong> such as Privacy Guard, Global Blacklist and CM Account.<\/p>\n